2 Corinthians 8 · Verse 4

2 Corinthians 8:4

Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
2 Corinthians 8:4, King James Version

2 Corinthians 8:4 in other translations

BSBthey earnestly pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
WEBbegging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.
ASVbeseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints:
YLTwith much entreaty calling on us to receive the favour and the fellowship of the ministration to the saints,
DARBYbegging of us with much entreaty to give effect to the grace and fellowship of the service which was to be rendered to the saints.
BBESeriously requesting us that they might have a part in this grace of being servants to the needs of the saints:
WebsterPraying us with much entreaty, that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

What does 2 Corinthians 8:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Corinthians 8:3-5

3-5. they were willing--rather, supply from 2Co 8:5, the ellipsis thus, "According to their power ... yea, and beyond their power, THEY GAVE." of themselves--not only not being besought, but themselves beseeching us.

Read the full comment on 2 Corinthians 8:3-5 →

Barnes' Notes
Verse 4. Praying us with much entreaty. Earnestly entreating me to receive the contribution, and convey it to the poor and afflicted saints in Judea.

And take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. Greek, "that we would take the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints." They asked of us to take part in the labour of conveying it to Jerusalem. The occasion of this distress which made the collection for the saints of Judea necessary, was probably the famine which was predicted by Agabus, and which occurred in the time of Claudius Caesar. Acts 11:28. Barnabas was associated with Paul in conveying the contribution to Jerusalem, Acts 11:30. Paul was unwilling to do it unless they particularly desired it, and he seems to have insisted that some person shoed be associated with him, 2Cor 8:20, 1Cor 16:3,4.

(e) "fellowship" Acts 11:29, Rom 15:25,26

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 Praying us with much entreaty - We had not to solicit them to this great act of kindness; they even entreated us to accept their bounty, and to take on ourselves the administration or application of it to the wants of the poor in Judea.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 8:1-6

The grace of God must be owned as the root and fountain of all the good in us, or done by us, at any time. It is great grace and favour from God, if we are made useful to others, and forward to any good work. He commends the charity of the Macedonians. So far from needing that Paul should urge them, they prayed him to receive the gift. Whatever we use or lay out for God, it is only giving him what is his own. All we…

Read the full comment on 2 Corinthians 8:1-6 →

2 Corinthians 8:4 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

μετὰmetawithG3326
πολλῆςpollēsmuchG4183
παρακλήσεωςparaklēseōsentreatyG3874
δεόμενοιdeomenoiimploringG1189
ἡμῶνhēmōnof usG3165
τὴνtēnfor theG3588
χάρινcharingraceG5485
καὶkaiandG2532
τὴνtēntheG3588
κοινωνίανkoinōnianfellowshipG2842
τῆςtēsof theG3588
διακονίαςdiakoniasserviceG1248
τῆςtēs<the>G3588
εἰςeisamongG1519
τοὺςtoustheG3588
ἁγίουςhagioussaintsG40
δέξασθαιdexasthaito receiveG1209
ἡμᾶς,hēmasus,G3165

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 8:4

  • Galatians 6:10

    As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

  • Acts 24:17

    Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:1

    For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

  • Hebrews 6:10

    For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

  • 1 John 3:16-18

    Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

  • 1 Corinthians 16:15

    I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

  • 1 Corinthians 16:3-4

    And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

  • Acts 11:29

    Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea:

  • 2 Corinthians 9:12-14

    For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

  • Galatians 2:10

    Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

  • Romans 15:25-26

    But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

  • Acts 9:39-41

    Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
that.
18,19; Ge 33:10,11; 2Ki 5:15,16; Ac 16:15; 1Co 16:3,4
the ministering.
9:1,12-14; Mt 10:42; 12:50; 25:40,44,45; Mr 14:7; Joh 19:26,27
Ac 6:1-7; 9:39-41; 11:29; 24:17; Ro 15:25,26; 1Co 16:1,3,4,15
Ga 2:10; 6:10; 1Ti 5:10; Phm 1:5,6; Heb 6:10; 1Jo 3:16-18

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Corinthians 8:3

    For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

  • 2 Corinthians 8:4

    Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:5

    And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

Read all of 2 Corinthians 8

2 Corinthians 8:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Pidiéndonos con muchos ruegos, que aceptásemos la gracia y la comunicación del servicio para los santos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		nous demandant avec de grandes instances la grâce et la communion de ce service envers les saints;
German
Elberfelder 1871		mit vielem Zureden uns um die Gnade und die Gemeinschaft des Dienstes für die Heiligen bittend.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		cum multa exhortatione obsecrantes nos gratiam, et communicationem ministerii, quod fit in sanctos.